New suspect arrested in beating of man with bat in Md.

WASHINGTON – Prince George’s County police have released a male suspect for the robbery and beating of a 72-year-old man with a baseball bat and have arrested another man.

Edwin Manuel Gonzalez, 22, of Colmar Manor, Md., was taken into custody Sept. 28. Days before, police arrested Justin Charles Strong, 22, from Mount Rainier, Md., who was believed to be connected to the crime. Strong has since been released.

The victim was waiting at a bus stop before 6 a.m. on Sept. 15 when he was approached by a suspect who threatened him with a knife and demanded he hand over his wallet, police say. The victim refused, and police say the suspect left to get an aluminum baseball bat. Upon returning to the scene, the suspect allegedly began attacking the victim with the bat.

A passerby saw the incident and yelled for the suspect to stop. The suspect then fled the scene, police say.

Police responded to a report of an assault on Bladensburg Road and found the 72- year-old victim with severe injuries. The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was in stable condition as of Sept. 23.

Gonzalez is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault and two counts of attempted armed robbery. He is being held on a no bond status.